I venture to assert, on my own peril, that no jury can
convict the prisoner after hearing me read that which I hold in my
hand." Then Mr. Chaffanbrass paused, as though expecting that the
judge would speak;--but the judge said not a word, but sat looking
at the old barrister over his spectacles.
Every eye was turned upon Phineas Finn, who up to this moment had
heard nothing of these new tidings,--who did not in the least know
on what was grounded the singularly confident,--almost insolently
confident assertion which Mr. Chaffanbrass had made in his favour. On
him the effect was altogether distressing. He had borne the trying
week with singular fortitude, having stood there in the place of
shame hour after hour, and day after day, expecting his doom. It had
been to him as a lifetime of torture. He had become almost numb from
the weariness of his position and the agonising strain upon his mind.
The gaoler had offered him a seat from day to day, but he had always
refused it, preferring to lean upon the rail and gaze upon the Court.
Pages:
1025
1026
1027
1028
1029
1030
1031
1032
1033
1034
1035
1036
1037
1038
1039
1040
1041
1042
1043
1044
1045
1046
1047
1048
1049